Along with the rest of the country, I’ve had Father’s Day on the brain this weekend. Yesterday, I ransacked my closet to find a box filled with various artifacts from years gone by. I was looking for a picture of my dad – specifically the one where I was sitting next to him on the couch all dolled up in my crunchy layered red polka-dotted dress and pearls. (Daddy had on a t-shirt. :-))
I couldn’t find it, but I did find a precious picture of Mother and Daddy – I believe the last formal one taken of them. Daddy would pass away a few years after that – way too soon. I’m so thankful that I had a rock like my dad for many years. But what did I do when he departed this earth?
As I looked for a picture of my dad, I came across something else – a rock of another nature. I have no idea why it was in the box or why I’ve kept it all these years, but seeing it threw me into … reflection … there was a living stone from my past. I realized when Daddy left us, there were other rocks around to fill the role – some young, some old.
I remembered it was not easy listening to the sermon this one particular Father’s Day as I sat there alone without a rock. I was seated toward the front and feared I would burst into tears walking out that day. I planned my escape though – the stairwell entrance at the front just off the platform. I would sail down the steps, scoop up the boys from the nursery and out the back door. I thought I had made it safely to the door, but someone was on my heels and halted my stride at the steps. It was our associate pastor. He had not delivered the sermon that day but spoke the most encouraging words to me right there in the stairwell – words that carried me for years to come.
Seeing this something else reminded me how his ministry touched my life. I was not happy when their departure was announced but felt a peace when his wife sang for us one last time. She sang like an angel with confidence and assurance. I knew they would be okay, and so would I.
You won’t find Pastor Paul in Iowa today. Their ministry travels took them far away to Alaska for a decade, and I know that they have been living stones throughout their journey. This is simply my little story of them.
I’m glad to know that something else will be there next Father’s Day.
And life continues on …
Thank you, Debbie, for such a lovely tribute to your parents and the kind words about Paul and me. As we reflect on the eternal impact that we can all have on someone in such few words or deeds, your post is a sweet but solemn reminder that our influence can be powerful. People are watching; may they always see the love of Christ in and through us!